I'm going to try and make Mondays workshop at the club, bonsai north west. Below are the starter trees that I have. Would love some thoughts on what if any tree I should take and what to do with it (I.e put into a pot, trim branches etc)
Whatever tree you take you should learn something.
Maple does not have much going for it that I can see. Maybe a cut and told to grow it on for a few years?
You have already done lots to the juniper. Possible cut down to a more compact tree? possible bending?
The fig has plenty of potential lower in the trunk. You will probably be told to cut it quite small but also probably told not the best time of year to prune figs.
Corokia has lots of possibilities - plenty of branches, good movement, etc. Probably a chance to prune and wire and maybe create something useful. Don't be surprised if there is not much left at the end of it. Corokia is pretty sparse by the time excess branches are pruned off. I think I'd be happy to pot it up this time of year if the result is ok but most trees develop better and ramify quicker if left in a larger pot for a year or 2 after initial styling.
I often take in several trees so the teacher can choose the 1 they think they can do best with.
Are you only allowed 1 tree? Sometimes when you bring a simple tree there is time to look at a 2nd.
Re the maple, picked that one up from bonsai sensation. Two years in the pot was advised. I probably just need to cut off some branches where there are several coming out of the same place...
It's my first workshop, so I assumed one tree should do it. I think I have watched too many you tube videos where the artist creates a nice bonsai in 30 min!
I will be going straight from work, so would prefer to just load the one tree in the back in the morning. Underground car park so should be ok!
Maybe just me but I can only see low trunk chops----maple chop just below can height---corokia chop above first main rh branch---fig chop at or below can height------juni chop above first branch or possible literati if a lot more major bends to avoid the esses
